Tag: gift

Gift guide: For the nerds

~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

Let me just start out by saying, I do not mean ‘nerd’ to have any sort of negative connotation. I’m friends with lots of nerds (you know who you are) and most days, I’m one too! So, whether you’re really into books, computers, typography or whatever, rejoice! This guide’s for you.

First up, home decor. How do you let someone know the minute they enter your abode that you’re super into computers? (Unless, of course, your computer is the first thing you see when you walk in the front door… like me.) By PC-themed pillows courtesy of diffraction Fiber, of course. If you’re really really cool (…also like me) you’ll get the Mac version!

Cyberoptix shop offers nerdy neckties of all kinds: EEG brainwave patterns, circuit boards, topographical maps, Dadaist references… but my favorite of course features a typographical lorem ipsum pattern. Lorem ipsum is faux text designers use to fill copy space until the final edit is ready, one of those little things only another designer would get. Love it!

Ladies, don’t think I’ve forgotten about you. If you’re looking for a ladylike way to sport your nerdery, check out these necklaces from Baby Loves Pink (above) and Baubles by Jill (below).

Of course, since old-school is the new cool, no nerdery would be complete without custom letterpress stationery. Pick up these cards featuring an awesome glasses illustration in the shop!

glasses_4585

Whatever you do, make 2012 the year you own your nerdiness. You are who you are, you like what you like, and those you love will love you for it.

Plum crazy

~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

Happy Cyber Monday! Yeah, apparently that’s a thing. I know I should be more enthusiastic about the retail surge this weekend but I just can’t bring myself to do it! If there’s one thing I’ve learned this year, it’s that “it’s just stuff.” (And definitely not worth pepper spraying your fellow shopper over! Seriously lady?!?)

However, I was excited about being given the opportunity to put together a beautiful little gift set for a fellow etsian. She wanted two of each of my botanically themed cards in different colors. I had most of the designs already printed in a couple different colors, but I did get to put in several hours on my press this weekend. The results are quite lovely if I do say so myself!

It seems that whenever I work on a custom project these days, the stars align, the humidity and ink consistency and pressure are all just right and I can’t help but print everything in sight. This weekend was no different, so while I was all inked up, I worked on a couple projects I’ve had swirling around in my head for a while. Turns out, they all looked good in purple!

Two Wheels

~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 2 Comments

A few weeks ago, I finished a print I’ve been working on for several months now. Bike Race is a limited edition of 10 prints featuring my bike illustration in five cheery colors. I love this print and plan to frame one for my own home, the rest can make great gifts for your favorite cyclist or anyone who enjoys a leisurely ride.

I also printed up a new batch of one of my most popular cards. I switched the orientation this time around and I love the way the design fits on the horizontal layout. This card is available here, enjoy!

Bus-beeeeee

~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 2 Comments

I hereby promise this will be my last post concerning Miss Mollie Shambeau Busby for a while! Last weekend was her ah-maze-ing wedding and I just have to brag a little about my gift! I went off-registry—gasp!—and printed Sean and Mollie custom stationery featuring their new family crest of sorts. I don’t often go so traditional when I design, but it felt just right for this occasion. I of course printed extras of this lovely note, so if you’re loving this look, pick some up right here!

I’m so sad I was too rushed to take a quick picture of the wrapping before heading out, but let’s just say, it was so cute! I picked up a kraft-colored papier maché box that matched the envelopes perfectly, nestled the stack of cards snugly in striped tissue and wrapped the whole thing in yellow, orange and light blue ribbon. While I was printing her cards, I whipped up a special envelope covered in bees and slipped that between ribbons. There’s something about a really well-wrapped present that makes the gift inside all the more special!

Little Indulgences

~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

Too often we get sucked into a downward spiral of pleasing others. Making sure your friends are happy, your family feels loved, you’re keeping up with everything you “should” be doing. All this outward focus makes it easy to lose track of yourself.

Lately I’ve been thinking about the importance of taking the time each day to do a little something nice for yourself. It can be as simple as indulging in a half hour of your favorite tv show, painting your nails (or allowing yourself not to worry about them!), picking up a sweet treat or going for a bike ride.

Inevitably these little indulgences will include a little shopping… for yourself! Not a garment that will make you look better at work or that someone else will think is cool, something you want just because it makes you happy. Here’s a selection of things that are making my list!

Full disclosure: I ordered this ring from PlastiCouture a couple weeks ago and it makes me smile every time I look down at my finger!

I don’t know what it is about mustaches, but they always make me chuckle. (The cartoon ones do anyway… real ones make me gag a little.) Funny mustaches made of sugar? Even better. Thank you Vintage Confections!

The curse of being Someone Who Makes Things and being friends with People Who Makes Things is having way too many Things That Sit On Shelves and Things That Hang On Walls, but you can bet if I didn’t I’d have one of these little owls from Fruit Fly Pie!